The Springboks have named the most experienced team in South African history for the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup against Wales in Wellington on Sunday.

The team’s combined total number of caps is 815 which is 5 more than the 810 caps that the Springbok team had when they played against Australia in Durban in August. That team did however lose 9-14 on the day.

Bok coach Peter de Villiers recalled captain John Smit, loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira, looseforward Schalk Burger, and fullback Frans Steyn while Danie Rossouw replaced Bakkies Botha – unavailable because of an Achilles heel condition – in the five changes to the team that defeated New Zealand 18-5 in Port Elizabeth last month.

De Villiers named five forwards on the bench with Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp and Willem Alberts dropping out of the starting line-up while Ulster-based lock Johann Muller could make his first appearance since the third test against the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

The 22 contains 16 players who were part of the victorious 2007 squad, with 11 in the starting 15.

South Africa:

Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw, Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Johann Muller, Willem Alberts, Francois Hougaard, Butch James